Snowbound Surprise for the Billionaire

A steward’s voice chimed through the sound system telling them they were taxiing to Gate Twenty-eight and to remain in their seats. Addie blew out a breath that made him laugh. Within twenty minutes, however, they’d cleared Customs and were waiting by the luggage carousel. Addie eased forward in one lithe movement and hefted a bag from the carousel as if it were a bale of hay.

He widened his stance and frowned at her. ‘If you’d pointed it out I’d have got it for you.’

She blinked at him. ‘Why would you do that when I’m more than capable?’

A laugh escaped him. ‘Because I’m the big strong man and you’re the dainty personal assistant.’

One side of her mouth hooked up and her eyes danced. ‘You didn’t tell me dainty was part of the job description.’ And then she moved forward, picked his suitcase off the carousel and set it at his feet.

‘Addie!’

‘Fetch and carry—that was part of the job description and that I can do.’

He folded his arms. ‘How’d you know it was my case? It’s standard black and nondescript.’

She pointed. ‘With a blue and green tartan ribbon tied to the handle.’

She’d noticed that? ‘Adelaide Ramsey, I have a feeling you’re going to be a handy person to have around.’

‘That’s the plan.’

Was it? Her earnestness puzzled him.

And then she jumped on the spot. ‘Can we go and see Munich now?’

All of her weariness had fled. Her back had straightened, her eyes had brightened and she glanced about with interest. He swallowed and led the way out of the airport to the taxi stand. ‘It’ll take about forty minutes by cab to reach Munich proper.’

‘It’s so cold!’

He turned to find Addie struggling to pull her coat from her hand luggage and haul it on, her breath misting on the air. ‘December in Munich,’ he pointed out. ‘It was always going to be cold.’

Teeth chattering, she nodded. ‘I’m counting on snow.’

She spent the entire trip into the city with her face pressed to the window. Flynn spent most of the trip watching her. She gobbled up everything—the trees, the houses, the shops, the people.

She flinched as they passed a truck. ‘It’s so wrong driving on this side of the road.’

They drove on the left in Australia. In Germany it was the opposite. It took a bit of getting used to. As he watched her an ache he couldn’t explain started up in his chest.

He rubbed a hand across it and forced his gaze away to stare out of his own window, but it didn’t stop him from catching the tiny sounds she made—little gasps and tiny sighs that sounded like purrs. Each and every one of them pressed that ache deeper into him.

Maybe that was why, when the taxi deposited them at the front of their hotel, he snapped at her when she didn’t follow after him at a trot, but stood glued to the footpath instead. He turned, rubbing a hand across his chest again. ‘What are you doing?’

She glanced around as if memorising the buildings, the street and its layout. ‘This is the very first time my feet have touched European ground.’

He opened his mouth to point out that technically that wasn’t true.

‘I want to fix it in my mind, relish the moment. I’ve dreamed of it for so long and I can hardly believe...’

He snapped his mouth shut again.

She suddenly stiffened, tossed him a glance, and before he knew what she was about she’d swung her hand luggage over her shoulder, seized both of their cases and was striding straight into the foyer of the hotel with them.

For pity’s sake! He took off after her to find her enquiring, in perfect German no less, for a booking in the name of Mather.

The concierge smiled and welcomed her and double-checked the details of the booking.

Flynn moved up beside her. ‘I didn’t think you spoke German?’ It came out like an accusation.

‘I don’t. I learned that phrase specifically.’

‘For goodness’ sake, why?’

‘I thought it might come in handy, and to be polite, but...’ She swallowed and turned back to the concierge and glanced at his name badge. ‘Entschuldigen Sie—’ I’m sorry ‘—Bruno, but I have no idea what you just said to me.’

The concierge beamed back at her. ‘No matter at all, madam. Your accent was so perfect I thought you a native.’

‘Now you’re flattering me.’ She laughed, delighted colour high on her cheeks. ‘Danke.’ Thank you.

‘Bitte.’ You’re welcome.

And from her smile Flynn could tell she knew what that meant. It was all he could do not to roll his eyes.

‘Your hotel is sublime, beautiful.’ She gestured around. ‘And I can’t tell you how excited I am to be here.’

The man beamed at her, completely charmed and this time Flynn did roll his eyes. ‘And we’re delighted to have you stay with us, madam.’

Given the prices they were charging, of course they were delighted.

Eventually Flynn managed to get their room keys and he pushed Addie in the direction of the elevator that silently whooshed them up four flights to the top floor.

Flynn stopped partway down the corridor. ‘This should be your room.’

Her jaw dropped when she entered. ‘It’s huge!’ She raced to the window. ‘Oh, this is heaven.’ She pointed. ‘What’s that?’

He moved to join her. ‘That’s called the Isartor. Munich was once a gated medieval city. Tor means gate. Isar is the name of the nearby river.’

She stared at him. ‘So that’s the gate to the river Isar. It sounds like something from a Grimm’s fairy tale.’

She turned back to fully take in her room. ‘Oh, Flynn, I don’t need something this big.’

‘I have the main suite next door and I wanted you nearby.’

She glanced around more slowly this time and her face fell. ‘What?’ he barked.

‘I thought there might be an adjoining door.’ Colour flared suddenly in her face. ‘I mean, it’s not that I want one. It’s just they have them in the movies and...’ She broke off, grimacing.

He had to laugh and it eased the burn in his chest. ‘No adjoining doors, but feel free to come across and check out the suite.’